Dead Dispatch

If you're anything like me, you geeked out over the 'Dispatches from the Set' that AMC featured on their site for THE WALKING DEAD last season. Well, they're at it again - and chatting it up with series creator Frank Darabont! Here's a little bit of what the man had to say about Season 2:

"We're fleshing out the story in so many different directions. Once you're into this with real actors playing these characters, the dynamics develop over time from episode to episode. There's so much rich story and character to plunder. I don't know if we're giving anything away, but... something as simple in the comic books winds up being sort of a fantastic complication on screen. In the story we're telling, it's just not that simple as it was in the comic book because you have those opportunities to really spin the story out in many different layers. So, that kind of stuff is tremendously exciting to me"

Visit the official THE WALKING DEAD website at AMC to read the rest!

http://www.amctv.com/shows/the-walking-dead

Season 2 of THE WALKING DEAD is slated to come alive this Fall!

CONvergence

THIS WEEKEND!

If you are in the Minnesota area this weekend, be sure to catch our good friends from Midnight Syndicate at CONvergence as they talk about their first full-length feature film: THE DEAD MATTER! Director Edward Douglas and stars Jason Carter and Brian Van Camp will all be there, and in addition to a special screening and Q&A session, all three will be part of several panels, so be sure to check the CON schedule so you can get the nitty gritty on THE DEAD MATTER and Midnight Syndicate's upcoming CD release: CARNIVAL ARCANE!

Also at this year's CONvergence will be our friends from that horror puppet comedy that's really not for kids... TRANSYLVANIA TELEVISION! Stop by TVTV's booth to visit with series creators Gordon Smuder and Michael Heagle and check out their amazing cast of hand-built puppets. Count Le Shoc, Furry J. Ackermonster, Dwayne Frankenstein, Batfink, and the rest will be in the house!

For more information about this year's CONvergence in Minnesota, visit: http://www.convergence-con.org/

Mother (Ship)

Take it for what it's worth - it's the viral video of the day.

Bizjack Flemco

This week we're doing something a little out of the norm for us - showcasing a movie that is still in production! ATOM THE AMAZING ZOMBIE KILLER is the latest picture from those crazy cats over at Bizjack Flemco. Known for their outrageous independent films, ATOM is sure to please the blood-splattered zombie crowd that likes their undead served up with a sense of humor. We're happy to add Bizjack Flemco to our zombiNation - so be sure to check out the official trailer for ATOM THE AMAZING ZOMBIE KILLER at Drive-In of the Dead!

http://atomtheamazingzombiekiller.com/

Satisfying

1977 Jack Davis Slim Jim ad - Dracula
Originally uploaded by Paxton Holley

Sink your teeth into this old school 1970's ad for Slim Jims. If you ever read comic books, you saw this advertisement...

Waiting

waiting for the drive-in movie to start
Originally uploaded by jessamyn

There's just something really creepy about this picture...

Signs

Spider Death
Originally uploaded by dubtea

"I went up to my room with a piece of candle, and put it on the table. Then I set down in a chair by the window and tried to think of something cheerful, but it warn't no use. I felt so lonesome I most wished I was dead. The stars were shining, and the leaves rustled in the woods ever so mournful; and I heard an owl, away off, who-whooing about somebody that was dead, and a whippowill and a dog crying about somebody that was going to die; and the wind was trying to whisper something to me, and I couldn't make out what it was, and so it made the cold shivers run over me. Then away out in the woods I heard that kind of a sound that a ghost makes when it wants to tell about something that's on its mind and can't make itself understood, and so can't rest easy in its grave, and has to go about that way every night grieving. I got so down-hearted and scared I did wish I had some company. Pretty soon a spider went crawling up my shoulder, and I flipped it off and it lit in the candle; and before I could budge it was all shriveled up. I didn't need anybody to tell me that that was an awful bad sign and would fetch me some bad luck, so I was scared and most shook the clothes off of me. I got up and turned around in my tracks three times and crossed my breast every time; and then I tied up a little lock of my hair with a thread to keep witches away. But I hadn't no confidence. You do that when you've lost a horseshoe that you've found, instead of nailing it up over the door, but I hadn't ever heard anybody say it was any way to keep off bad luck when you'd killed a spider."

--from 'Adventures of Huckleberry Finn'
by Mark Twain

Black Triangles

What you're seeing here, according to the UK Ministry of Defense, can be explained thusly: "black triangle" class UFO sightings are caused by buoyant formations of high-energy plasma electricity created between multiple meteors simultaneously entering the atmosphere. These meteors are theorized to occasionally emanate between them an energy field that refracts light, producing the appearance of a black polygonal shape with the lights at the corners made up of the burning meteors themselves.

I feel much better now knowing that huge hovering mechanical three dimensional intelligently controlled geometric object with the pulsing lights was simply an atmospheric anomaly.

Ack!

Got an update on upcoming projects from our good filmmaking friend, Christian Ackerman. It involves zombies - so you know we had to report on it! Here's what he had to say:

"I'm planning on making another zombie movie, working title "Christian Ackerman's Zombies of the Living Dead" it will be like a way better and scarier "Zombie SpooF" and right now I'm working on a little film called "Terror Vortex" a psychological thriller. "Terror Vortex" is a movie I'm making on a small Kodak Zi8 handy cam that shoots in HD 1080p. I've adapted two wide angle lenses and a telephoto lens with focus pull to it. I'm just doing it to see if I can make a movie all on a small camera. It's like a test and if successful it will be coming out soon to the public. I just don't know when. My wife and I are expecting a new addition to our family. First time Mom and me first time Dad, so excited. That's my next project you can say ha ha. Then, junior will end up in Dad's movies for sure!"

We were seriously impressed with Christian's debut effort: WISCONSIN PROJECT X, so we're definitely looking forward to whatever depravity he comes up with next!

http://www.fastcoastproductions.com/

Astro Tease

The latest teaser trailer for cult director Ted V. Mikels' upcoming chiller: ASTRO-ZOMBIES M4: INVADERS FROM CYBERSPACE which is set to debut this fall on DVD!

Legion

Are we geeking out over this? Why yes we are! Our faux trailer for the imaginary slasher film 'GARAGE SALE' is the featured video over at Midnight Syndicate's LEGIONS OF THE NIGHT!

How cool is that?

http://www.midnightsyndicate.com/links.htm

Welcome

We hope you'll help us welcome our newest employee here at Drive-In of the Dead. CookieMonster hails from Austin, TX and is as big as a movie buff and horror hound as you can get. I've know Cook since high school, yet I can honestly say I didn't see this coming (while uproariously funny, he seemed kind of clean cut back then...) Well, I suppose he's still somewhat responsible now that we're all grown up - and I know he'll do a bang-up job here at the Drive-In. This is an exciting chapter for us and I'm looking forward to all the gnarly reviews (his first review is now up, the 'Grindhouse' exploitation flick: 'Hobo With A Shotgun!') and groovy extras he'll bring to the place. Now I better sign off before his head swells so much it explodes ala 'Scanners.' Besides, it's time to put him to work putting the speakers back on their poles. Then he has to sweep out the Snack Bar, learn how to thread film in the projection booth...

Good Walk Spoiled

Saw this over at the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization. Interesting...

www.bfro.net

AZM4 Update

A MESSAGE FROM TED V. MIKELS

Hello my dear friends: Thought it might be time to let you know what is happening. ASTRO ZOMBIES M4: INVADERS FROM CYBERSPACE is well under way!

Editing goes on until the wee hours every morning, both in Las Vegas, and Daytona Beach Florida, but the final story is taking shape. The Astro Zombies on their planet MOZORTSA- V are making a dramatic departure for planet earth through cyberspace as their planet is on an unavoidable collision course with asteroid XTG467.

The volunteering ASTRO ZOMBIES are causing death and destruction in all major corners of the earth using laser energy, hoping to force eartth's citizens to accept their presence. As always, the populace from Germany, England, Japan, Spain, Australia, and the United States fight desperately against these cybersapce marauders who have infiltrated our entire internet systems. San Francisco, California, New York City, Portland Oregon, Daytona Beach Florida, face destruction.

Gary Lester, my First Assistant Director, is utilizing all the current tricks of the trade in creating totally believable visions of carnage and destruction.

Homeland security personnel, our President, even with the help of our military, seem powerless to stop this cyberspace barrage. Richard Lester, my Associate Producer with Blue Heron Films, works diligently to help keep our international production units in total communication. Our Actors and Actresses have created a superb degree of credibility in making this latest of my Astro Zombie movies highly entertaining. Look for it by October this year. At this time, International Distribution is not set.

Even throughout my editing period, I answer hundreds of e-mails from individual senders, I love hearing from all of you.

Your friend and dedicated film-maker,

TED V. MIKELS

Meh

Superman Getting New Costume in 'Action Comics' Relaunch

Superman will go get a new look in the 21st century reboot of "Action Comics," DC Comics said Friday. According to the LA Times, the long-running comic series will restart at No. 1 in September and one of the most notable changes to the original comics so far is Superman's costume. Although the Man of Steel still sports a skin-tight blue suit and his iconic red cape on the new cover, he no longer has the added protection of the Speedo-like red trunks he's worn since the first issue of "Action Comics," published in June 1938. His belt is also changing color from yellow to red. In addition to the Superman franchise, DC Comics also plans to relaunch other titles in the DC Universe, which includes superheroes such as Batman, Wonder Woman and the Green Lantern. New characters, stories and, of course, costumes will be introduced across the board.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter Sat Jun 11, 2011, 6:50 pm EDT

[Me here] Personally, I hate it when comics do this - and DC Comics seems to be the worst about introducing 'new' costumes and relaunching various titles at 'Number 1.' I know the comics biz is dog-eat-dog and you have to do what you have to do to sell titles, but it all seems so desperate - so 'soap opera-ish.' AND it's already been done: remember black Superman (with the white 'S'?) from when they killed off Supes? Or how about 'Knightfall' from when they broke Batman's back? I'm hoping that this phase will pass just like all the rest; maybe sales will reflect that fans want Superman's costume to remain the same as always.

We can only hope - because seeing the last son of Krypton without his red speedos and yellow belt is like seeing the American flag without its stars and stripes...

Happy Birthday

Has it really been 30 years?

Now Showing

And worth seeing.

www.super8-movie.com

They Live Again

It's about time another cult classic got a bitchin poster treatment from Mondo and the Alamo Drafthouse Cinema! This time it's John Carpenter and his vastly underrated THEY LIVE, as designed by artist Shepard Fairey. The posters are 18x24 in size and cost $50 a piece.

This awesome poster goes on sale today at an unknown time (you have to follow @MondoNews on Twitter to find out when) but don't waste any time when it's announced - these posters sell out fast!

Run, Jane, Run!

My daughter brought this home from the library. Seriously.

Ozoner

Drive-In Playground
Originally uploaded by Scott.Webb

This is a great picture - but what's up with the sky? I'm no climatologist, but that CAN'T be good for us...

Quote of the Day

"I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself than be crowded on a velvet cushion."

--Henry David Thoreau

Daily Horrorscope

Today's main zombie struggle occurs early when the two biggest undead bodies - the Gemini hoard and the Jupiter mass - clash via an abrasive, 45-degree mind-link. Toss away know-it-all attitudes, pride and arrogance - they will get you killed when confronted with mindless ghouls. A healthy humility comes in quite handy right now if you want to stay alive. Some superlative vibes arrive on the scene when your guns form a deafening barrage of cover fire. Never let your guard down. Think fast. Stay alive.

Gone Camping

Be back tomorrow.

Quote of the Day

“America has been found out; and Poe had not; that is the situation. How did he live there, this finest of fine artists, this born aristocrat of letters? Alas! he did not live there: he died there, and was duly explained away as a drunkard and a failure... He was the greatest journalistic critic of his time... His poetry is exquisitely refined... In his stories of mystery and imagination Poe created a world record for the English language: perhaps for all languages... unparalleled and unapproached... Poe constantly and inevitably produced magic where his greatest contemporaries produced only beauty... There is really nothing to be said about it; we others simply take off our hats and let Mr. Poe go first.”

- George Bernard Shaw

Bottomed Out

I had already thought the paranormal reality show craze had bottomed out with SyFy's incredibly lame 'Ghost Academy,' but now I think it definitely has with their latest ghostly offering: 'Haunted Collector.' Ranking right up there with 'Paranormal State' on A&E for boring non-evidence nonsense, 'Haunted Collector' is yet another attempt to cash in on the popularity of 'Ghost Hunters,' which itself is suffering from a noticeable lack of entertainment value (and genuine evidence). I can't believe I'm going to say this, but the three (well two for sure) over-the-top, "Dude!" guys who host 'Ghost Adventures' on the Travel channel have consistently brought genuine creepiness and impressive evidence, and the great 'Psychic Kids' on A&E is sorely missed - I hope it gets renewed for another season - because boring paranormal fluff like 'Haunted Collector' seems too contrived to hold my attention for very long.

Into The Shadows

While chatting it up with Tim Burton about his exhibit at the LA County Museum of Art, The Wrap managed to sneak in a couple of Q&A's about his upcoming DARK SHADOWS, which began production in London at the beginning of May. Here's what the mercurial director had to say:

"It's been hard to kind of come here because I'm just starting, and it's a weird tone and it's a lot of actors and, you know, we're not starting with the simple stuff; we're sort of getting right in there. You like to kind of sneak up on it a little bit, but this one we just kind of slammed right into it."

Will it have a soap opera tone? "Yes, I don't know. I'm early into it because it's a funny tone, and that's part of what the vibe of the show is, and there's something about it that we want to get. But when you look at it, it's pretty bad. I'm hoping that it will be - it's early days, let's put it - I'm very intrigued by the tone. It's a real ethereal tone we're trying to go for and I don't know yet."

Will it be filmed in 3D? "I have no plans for that. I loved doing ALICE in 3D. FRANKENWEENIE, gonna do that in 3D. There's people like, 'Everything's gonna be in 3D or 'I hate 3D!' I think people should have a choice. I don't think it should be forced on anybody. At the same time, it's great, some of it. It's like 'Yes or no!? 3D! Yes or no?!' It's like, well, you know, come on, whatever, some yes, some no."

Tim Burton is directing from a script by Seth Grahame-Smith, which itself is based on the series created by Dan Curtis. The stellar cast includes Johnny Depp (natch), Michelle Pfeiffer, Helena Bonham Carter, Jackie Earle Haley, Eva Green, Bella Heathcote, Lee Miller, Chloe Moretz and Gulliver McGrath, and is scheduled to hit theaters on May 11, 2012 from Warner Brothers Studios.